蒲ほ柳りゅう

noun

purple willow

Refers to the plant Salix purpurea. This literal sense is rare in everyday conversation; the word is far more common in the metaphorical expression 蒲柳の質.

• 蒲ほ柳りゅうは水みず辺べに生はえる柳やなぎの一いっ種しゅである。

  The purple willow is a type of willow that grows near water.

noun

delicate constitution; infirmity

Almost always used in the set phrase 蒲柳の質 (ほりゅうのしつ), meaning a weak or frail body. The standalone noun use is very rare.

• 彼かれは蒲ほ柳りゅうの質しつで、すぐに体たい調ちょうを崩くずしてしまう。

  He has a delicate constitution and easily falls ill.